Harris County Department of Education is partnering with Crime Stoppers of Houston for the 2017 School Safety Summit, a free event to be held Monday, June 12, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual event will bring school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators and those interested in school safety together for a summit about the issues facing schools in 2017-2018.

This year’s theme, “I PLEDGE TO KEEP MY SCHOOL SAFE,” emphasizes the ways that the combined work of individuals leads to a community-minded culture and increased safety.

Keynote speaker will be Juliet Stipeche, City of Houston director of education. Along with representatives from a variety of local, statewide and national agencies, Stipeche and other presenters will touch on critical school safety issues including mental health, human trafficking, internet crimes, police-student interactions, restorative discipline and updates to juvenile law.

Breakout sessions on these topics will be led by representatives from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Love 146, Restorative Justice Collaborative of Houston, The Harris Center, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Klein ISD Police Department.

For the third consecutive year, the School Safety Summit will take place at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, Texas. Those interested in attending may pre-register online at http://www.hcde-texas.org/register at no cost. Participants who pre-register will receive a free breakfast and lunch at the event. TCOLE credits are available for registrants.

About the Center for Safe and Secure Schools: Developed at the request of local superintendents in the spring of 1999 to advance safe and secure environments for learning and teaching, the Center for Safe and Secure Schools is a leader in the development of increased safety and security strategies in school environments for students and educators. Learn more about the trainings and other opportunities we offer at www.safeandsecureschools.org.

About Harris County Department of Education (HCDE): Serving students, teachers, schools and communities throughout Harris County, HCDE is a local governmental organization providing value for school districts while supporting educational opportunity. Partnering with Harris County school districts, HCDE maximizes local resources and respond to the needs of locally elected school boards and education leaders. HCDE services include school-based therapy for students, afterschool programs, Head Start, educator training, adult education and programs to promote safe schools. To learn more about how your county department of education can help you: www.hcde-texas.org.